Cap for round and square post

ABSTRACT

A post cap, which is a single piece construction, for covering the top end of a round or square road sign steel post. The cap has two parts, a base ( 1 ) and a top member ( 2 ). The base is attached to fit over the top end of either a round or a square post by means of screws that extend through the holes ( 4 ) provided on the sidewalls ( 5 ) of the base and secure over the outer-wall of the post. The other part is a top member ( 2 ) that has two parallelly placed aluminum blades ( 3 ) with a slot ( 14 ) between them, where the road sign is installed. The cap integrates the dimensions of square and round shape and can be made in discrete sizes making the base to allow fitting over a range of diameters or dimensions of square and round post. The cap is preferable formed from aluminium to have sufficient rigidity, sustenance from weather conditions, and longevity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a single piece construction of a postcap, which fits both round and square shaped road sign steel posts. Theother feature of the cap is that two parallelly placed aluminum bladeshave been cast on the roof of the cap with slot between them, where theroad sign is installed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The United States of America and Canada together are the largestconsumer markets for aluminum and steel road sign hardware in the world.The growth of road networks and infrastructure and the extreme climaticdemands, are perhaps the main reason for the growth in the market forthese items. A vast variety of such products are used in these marketsranging from cold rolled steel bars to aluminum castings, extrusions,plates etc. In the aluminum castings category, no product holds as muchvalue as the “post cap road sign holder”.

The most commonly used cap in the road signposts is the ‘U shaped’ cap,which is available in two varieties—180° and 90°. Although thesevarieties are in large circulation, they do not have strong presence inthe west coast of the U.S.

The other type of cap is the Round Post Cap, which is available inseveral sizes in terms of the internal diameter of the product. It has amore general acceptance in terms of usage all over the U.S.

Yet another type is the Square Post Cap, which is also available indifferent sizes, in terms of the internal side of the square. The SquarePost Cap is predominant in the U.S. west coast markets and is steadilygrowing in sales in the eastern side of the country, as well.

The prior art disclosed in Patent No. US Application No: 20030168649titled “POST CAP” explains a post cap, which can fit over posts havingdifferent cross sections such as square, round, oblong or oval, but itdoes not envisage fitting the same cap over different shapes of posts.It provides for different caps of different shapes and sizes to fitrespective shapes of the posts. Therefore, it does not use a single capthat can be used both on square as well as on round posts, which is theobject of the present invention.

Another Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 2,450,345 titled “Protective cap forwood posts, poles and the like” explains a cap which is circular inshape. While the patent contemplates an adjustable means for holding thecap on the end of various sizes of poles, it does not have a provisionfor fitting the same cap over posts of various shapes.

Yet another Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,536 titled “Fence Post Cap”describe a cap that is specifically designed with a square sidedconfiguration and claims to improve the aesthetic appearance of the cap.It does not include any provision for fitting the same cap for roundpost. While the cap described in the present invention is so createdthat it can cover both square as well as round shaped posts.

Another Patent No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,196 titled “Fence post end cap”describes a cap that is designed for a cylindrical (circular) fenceposts. However, it is also provided that it could be well adapted forfence posts having cross sections of different shapes such as square ortriangular. But this adaptation would involve replacing the base portionof the cap and therefore, the same cap cannot be used to fit posts ofdifferent shapes, unlike the post cap in the present invention.

Instead of constructing a cap, which has a single utility in beingplaced either over a round post or a square post, it is desirable toconstruct a cap that can fit both the round and the square post. The capcan be attached to the post by fastening screws from the sidewalls ofthe cap, locked to the top end of the post. It would also be desirableto have a cap for posts that would be aesthetic and one that could besecured to the top end of a post very quickly. Further it would bedesirable to have a pair of blades cast on top of the cap, on or overwhich the sign plates can be installed.

The present invention therefore describes a post cap that can fit thetop end of both square as well as round posts and derives the abovedesirable results.

Further since various dimensions of round as well as square posts areavailable in market, yet another object of the present invention is tocreate a cap, which with minor modifications, would easily integrate thedimensions of various size of round and square cap and provide discretecombination of sizes making the cap to allow fitting over a range ofdiameters or dimensions of square and round posts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A post cap capable of fitting onto both round and square shaped top openend of road sign posts comprising: a cap having a base (1) is removablymounted on open end of the said post with the internal sidewalls (5 a)of the said base (1) which is assembled over the outer wall of the saidtop open end of the post; wherein the said base (1) is provided withholes (4) on the side wall (5) for mounting the cap through means tofasten and are secured over the outer-wall of the post; a top member (2)of the said post cap is provided with two aluminum blades (3), which areparallelly placed on the top of the cap provided with a slot (12)therein the road sign is installed; the said aluminium blade hasplurality of holes (6) that are equidistant from the center (7) of thesaid blade (3) wherein means are provided to mount onto the said signpost through the holes (6) on the blades (3).

The present invention relates to a post cap to be fit over a post,specifically a road sign steel post. The cap consists of a base (1) anda top member (2), wherein the base (1) has been constructed in a mannerthat it fits both a round and a square post and has means for attachingthe base (1) to the post by nails or screws that extend through theholes (4) provided on the sidewalls (5) of the base and secure over theouter-wall of the post.

The square and the round caps are individually available in many sizes.The size of a round cap, in terms of its internal diameter, usuallyranges from 1 inch to 7 inches, more particularly between 1.5 inches to3.5 inches, while the size of the square cap, in terms of its internalside, ranges from 1 inch to 5 inches, more particularly between 1.75inches to 2.5 inches. The dimension of the base (1) of the cap in thepresent invention integrates one of the dimensions of the round cap withthat of the dimension of the square cap and institutes a cap that couldfit the respective dimensions of a square and a round post. For instancethe present cap can incorporate the dimension of a round cap of internaldiameter 2 inches with the dimension of a square cap of internal side1.75 inches. The facia of the outer appearance of the base (1) can beoctagonal, square or round in shape and it can be made in variedcombination of sizes allowing fitting over a range of diameters ordimensions of square and round posts respectively.

The top member (2) of the post cap is secured by two aluminum blades(3), which are parallelly placed on top of the cap. The parallelposition of the blades (3) creates a slot (12) between them where thesign plate is placed and then fastened by means of bolts or screwssecured through the holes (6) provided on the blades (3). The solepurpose of blades (3) is to hold and provide support to the sign plateplaced on the cap.

The thickness and size of the sign plate often differ requiring varioustypes of ‘blade lengths’. Each blade (3) has two corresponding holes(6), which are equidistant from the center (7) of the blade (3), wherethe screws are fastened to secure the sign plate. The length of theblade can be of any size, most preferably between 3 inches to 15 inches,and the hole-to-hole (6) distance of the blade can vary depending uponthe size of the blade (3), most preferably between 2 inches to 9 inches.

The slot (12) between the aluminium blades (3), which provides gap orspace for the sign plate to be placed, can have varied width dependingupon the size of the blade (3). One is the flat slot most preferably ofgap width of 4 mm and the other is the extruded slot most preferably ofgap width of 7 mm. These two sizes categorize the slot thicknessdepending upon the length of the blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a post cap, comprising the base (1)and top member (2), for covering a square and a round road sign steelpost.

FIG. 2 is a base plan view of FIG. 1 showing the bottom of the base (1)of the post cap.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of FIG. 1 showing the top member (2) of thepost cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a single piece construction of a postcap, for placing on top end of a round or square road sign steel post.The preferred embodiment of the post cap is illustrated in FIG. 1. Theembodiment has a base (1) and a top member (2) with two aluminium blades(3). In this embodiment the base (1) has been constructed in such amanner that it fits both a round and a square post. The configuration ofthe base is illustrated in FIG. 2. The base (1) is placed over the topend of either a round or square post with the internal sidewalls (5 a)of the base (1) is convened over the outer wall of the top end of thepost. The base (1) has holes (4) on its sidewalls (5), from where nailsor screws are extended through the holes and are secured over theouter-wall of the post.

The other part of the post cap is a top member (2) that has twoparallelly placed aluminum blades (3) of equal length, with a slot (12)between them, where the road sign is installed. Each blade has two holes(6) that are equidistant from the center (7) of the blade (3) and areembodied in such manner that the holes (6) of the blades arecorresponding to each other. The sign plate that is installed in theslot (12) is then secured with the help of bolts or screws that extendsthrough the holes (6) provided in the blades (3). The sole purpose ofblades (3) is to hold and provide support to the sign plate placed onthe post cap.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the bottom view of the base (1) ofthe post cap. The base is a hollow body with sidewalls (5), beingillustrated as inner sidewall (5 a) and outer sidewall (5 b). Thedimension of the inner sidewall (5 a) integrates the measurement of asquare and a round (circular) post cap so that the base (1) could fiteither a round or a square post of the respective measurement. Thesquare and the round caps are individually available in many sizes. Thesize of a round cap, in terms of its internal diameter, usually rangesfrom 1 inch to 7 inches, more particularly between 1.5 inches to 3.5inches, while the size of the square cap, in terms of its internal side,ranges from 1 inch to 5 inches, more particularly between 1.75 inches to2.5 inches. The dimension of the base (1) of the post cap in the presentinvention integrates one of the dimensions of the round cap with that ofthe dimension of the square cap and institutes a cap that could fit therespective dimensions of a square and a round post. The shape of squareand round is so configured in the inner sidewall (5 a) that the internalangle of the four edges of the inner sidewall where the shape of squarecoincide is 90° (10) and the internal angle of the edges where the shapeof circle and square coincide from side of square to a chord extendingfrom point of coincidence to the center of the arc is 196° (11). Theinternal angle of the edge of the outer sidewall where the edge of thesquare coincides is 109° (8) and the internal angle of the edge of theouter sidewall where the arc of the circle coincides is 161° (9). Thefacia of the outer sidewall (5 b) can be octagonal, square or round inshape. The base (1) can be made in varied combination of sizes allowingit to fit over a range of diameters or dimensions of square and roundposts.

FIG. 3 illustrates the top view of the top member (2) of the post cap asillustrated in FIG. 1. The top member comprises two aluminum blades (3)that are secured on top of the base. The blades (3) are of equal lengthand are placed parallelly with a slot (12) between them. The said slotprovides a gap or space for the sign plate to be installed. The slot(12) can be made in varied width depending upon the size of the signplate and/or the blade. One is the flat slot most preferably of gapwidth of 4 mm and the other is the extruded slot most preferably of gapwidth of 7 mm. These two sizes categorize the slot thickness dependingupon the length of the blade. Each blade has corresponding two holes (6)that are equidistant from the center of the blade (7). The holes (6) areprovided to secure the sign plate in the slot by means of fasteningmembers such as screws that extend through the holes in the blades andthe sign plate. The length of the blade (7) can be of any size mostpreferably between 3 inches to 15 inches, and distance between the holesof the blade can also vary depending upon the size of the, but mostpreferably between 2 inches to 9 inches.

The post cap of all the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of thisinvention not only are aesthetically appealing but also prevent waterfrom entering the post. These caps can be easily installed, as it onlyrequires pounding two nails or more through the holes (4) in thesidewalls (5) in the base (1).

Since the cap integrates various dimensions of square and round shape,it can be made in discrete sizes making the base to allow fitting over arange of diameters or dimensions of square and round post. The cap ispreferable formed from steel/aluminum to have sufficient rigidity,sustenance from weather conditions, and longevity.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Ambit of the Invention:

-   -   With the availability and use of a wide variety of size of round        and square post caps coupled with various blade lengths and the        thickness, a very large inventory of products have to be stocked        by a trader. The present invention is the step towards        eliminating the problem of using and stocking two types of caps        and rather using only one cap for both the square and round        posts.    -   As a result the advantages are:        -   The trader/dealer in sign post caps is required to maintain            a lower level of inventory in terms of both the value and            the cumulative volume of the different varieties.        -   With the reduction in the varieties and quantity, space            utilization as well time and resources spent on tracking and            maintaining two different varieties of products are reduced.        -   Financially, as the volume of stock required is reduced, the            fund utilization is also reduced and therefore there is a            further reduction in the storage space requirement,            inventory maintenance and lower handling costs.    -   Market growth is an added advantage with this product. As        mentioned before, the use of the square cap is spreading to the        east coast of US as well, but the pace of growth is not as fast        as desired due to lack of supporting products required for the        square cap. As the ‘dual-cap’ is compatible with both square and        round posts and given the general spread of use of the round        post cap in one region of the market and the square cap, in the        other regions, introduction of this multi-post cap in the market        will see uniform end product for different kinds of posts.    -   The outer facia, as mentioned, can be of octagonal, square or        round in shape. The basis for octagonal shape is that the        optimum design for using least material while giving strength at        the major stress points and provides the perfect smooth external        surface for installation of fasteners.

In addition to these advantages, there are some inherent advantages tothe product design as well. This inventive structure is applicable to avariety of other combinations for round post caps and square caps aswell.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a post cap, which can fit on both squareand round road sign steel posts. This new phenomenon results in a singlecap being used for both square and round shaped posts.

1. A post cap capable of fitting onto both round and square shaped topopen end of road sign posts comprising: a cap having a base (1) isremovably mounted on open end of the said post with the internalsidewalls (5B) of the said base (1) which is assembled over theouterwall of the said top open end of the post; wherein the said base(1) is provided with holes (4) on the side wall (5) for mounting the capthrough means to fasten and are secured over the outer-wall of the post;a top member (2) of the said post cap is provided with two aluminumblades (3), which are parallelly placed on the top of the cap providedwith a slot (12) therein the road sign is installed; the said aluminiumblade has plurality of holes (6) that are equidistant from the center(7) of the said blade (3) wherein means are provided to mount onto thesaid sign post through the holes (6) on the blades (3).
 2. A post capcapable of fitting onto both round and square shaped top open end ofroad sign posts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (1) is a hollowbody with sidewalls (5) comprising outer sidewall (5A) and innersidewall (5B); plurality of shapes such as square and round isconfigured in the said inner sidewall (5B); four edges (10) having rightangle and plurality of edges (11) are provided to integrate the squareand round post of the inner sidewall (5B); wherein the edge of thesquare coincides with the edge of the outer sidewall (8) and the chordof the circle coincides with the edge of the outer sidewall (9) areprovided in the outer side wall (5A).
 3. A post cap capable of fittingonto both round and square shaped top open end of road sign posts asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the outer sidewall (5A) can be octagonal,square or round in shape.
 4. A post cap capable of fitting onto bothround and square shaped top open end of road sign posts as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the base (1) is made in varied combination of sizesallowing it to fit over a range of diameters or dimensions of square andround posts.
 5. The post cap capable of fitting onto both round andsquare shaped top open end of road sign posts as claimed in claim 1,wherein the size of a round cap particularly internal diameter rangesbetween 1.5 inch and 4 inches.
 6. The post cap capable of fitting ontoboth round and square shaped top open end of road sign posts as claimedin claim 1, wherein the size of the square cap particularly internalside, ranges between 3 inch and 15 inches.
 7. A post cap capable offitting onto both round and square shaped top open end of road signposts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal angle of the edge ofthe outer sidewall (8) where the edge of the square coincides is 109°.8. A post cap capable of fitting onto both round and square shaped topopen end of road sign posts as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internalangle of the edge of the outer sidewall (9) where the arc of the circlecoincides is 161°.